Indian carriers Air India and IndiGo now face higher fuel costs and longer travel times. This comes after Pakistan closed its airspace amid rising tensions following a deadly militant attack in Kashmir.
India accused Pakistani elements of involvement in Tuesday’s attack, where gunmen killed 26 men in Pahalgam, Indian Kashmir. However, Pakistan strongly denied any role.
In response, both nuclear-armed neighbors have imposed harsh countermeasures. India also suspended a key river water-sharing treaty with Pakistan. Meanwhile, international airlines remain unaffected by the ban.
Late on Thursday, Air India and IndiGo began rerouting flights to New York, Azerbaijan, and Dubai. These flights normally pass through Pakistan’s airspace, according to Flightradar24 data.
Notably, New Delhi Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, will feel the greatest impact. Flights from New Delhi to Western and Middle Eastern cities typically cross Pakistani territory.
Moreover, data from Cirium Ascend shows IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express have about 1,200 flights scheduled in April. These flights are bound for Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
As a result, flights from New Delhi to the Middle East will take an hour longer. An Indian aviation executive explained that this will mean higher fuel consumption and less cargo capacity.
Fuel and oil generally make up 30% of an airline’s operating costs, making them the largest cost component.
Flight Cancellations and Route Adjustments
In a statement, IndiGo announced that around 50 international routes will undergo minor adjustments. Furthermore, the airline said it will cancel flights to Almaty from April 27 until at least May 7. Flights to Tashkent will also be canceled from April 28 through May 7.
Indian airlines are already grappling with delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus. The airspace ban now adds another hurdle. Additionally, pilots and airlines must recalculate permitted flying hours and adjust crew rosters. One pilot confirmed that new flight plans must follow longer routes.
Another airline executive mentioned that staff worked late into Thursday night to handle the consequences of the closure. For example, IndiGo flight 6E1803 from New Delhi to Baku took 5 hours and 43 minutes on Thursday. The longer route passed over Gujarat, the Arabian Sea, and Iran before reaching Azerbaijan.
In contrast, the same flight took only 5 hours and 5 minutes through Pakistan’s airspace on Wednesday.
Importantly, Pakistan’s airspace closure will stay in effect until May 23. Back in 2019, India’s government estimated a $64 million loss for Air India, IndiGo, and other airlines. That closure lasted about five months.
